Podcasts about undeceptions

Security analyst Elizabeth Neumann addresses the rise of groups like "764" that seeks to connect with teens online and to radicalize them into violent acts.  She offers ideas for helping to talk with your youth to keep them safe, like Wait Until 8th, UP End Hate, and Filter First.  Historian and theologian John Dickson, host of the Undeceptions podcast, talks about the Nicene Creed and the debate over who Jesus was.  It's the 1700th anniversary of this important document.   Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

The Gospels tell us about Jesus' adult life, with scant references to his childhood.We can catch glimpses of the younger Jesus' life, but there's so much we don't know.But if we move beyond the Bible, we can learn about the world the younger Jesus lived in.Growing up a refugee, in a land under foreign occupation, and a region full of militia groups, it's worth asking: How did the turbulent background of the boy Jesus affect His message … and the whole of Christianity?CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.  Santino Dimarco is the Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.(00:08) - - Judea: A difficult province to govern (08:42) - - Herod (16:48) - - Growing up Judean (21:00) - - Was Jesus actually from the line of King David? (29:35) - - The massacre of the innocents (33:31) - - Was Jesus born in Bethlehem? (42:28) - - Jesus the refugee (50:05) - - Growing up in Galilee (01:01:50) - - Jesus the patriot (01:04:44) - - BONUS! Joan Taylor and Monty Python

The recent feature film ‘Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin' attracted controversy for its portrayal of Europe's most celebrated martyr of the 20th century.There are so many questions surrounding the life of Bonhoeffer - chief among them, how involved was he in the botched 20 July plot to kill Hitler?Our hosts this week share their thoughts on the film and are also joined by Center for Pastor Theologians President Dr. Joel Lawrence to discuss Bonhoeffer's life and work.Finally, Michael and Megan try to define a Christian hero and discuss whether the church should have any heroes aside from Jesus.(01:44) - - Through the Wardrobe (31:40) - - Be Our Guest (44:16) - - For Arguments Sake

According to the data, chemistry is the scientific discipline with the highest number of ”theists”.Perhaps it's not that surprising: Chemistry grew out of alchemy, a mysterious science that attempted to uncover the secrets of nature, with goals some would consider supernatural.Modern chemists are also working to uncover the secrets of nature. For some, seeing just how ordered the world is has led them to wonder whether there might be more going on behind the scenes than mere chemistry.CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.  Santino Dimarco is the Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.(00:00) - - Intro (01:51) - - Chemists - the 'theists' of science (08:27) - - Big Pharma (16:13) - - Chemical medicine (22:08) - - Alchemy (24:06) - - Chemistry and evolution (36:44) - - How do cells work? (46:14) - - Five-Minute Jesus (56:39) - - The Periodic Table of Elements (01:01:01) - - Why aren't there more Christian chemists? (01:08:19) - - Why science can't hold all the answers

Like it or not, life will let us down. We all face disappointment.Despite this, people spend their entire lives trying to avoid and outrun disappointment.But the Bible offers a different solution.It gives us the tools to feel and express disappointment. Tools to grieve well. Tools to lament.But it doesn't stop there.In the Bible, we also find a God who sits with us in our grief and shares our disappointment.We find a God who laments.CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.  Santino Dimarco is the Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.(00:00) - - Intro (00:50) - - Anger at God (05:52) - - Drew Hyun: Writing books on disappointment (09:52) - - Han (17:56) - - The Psalms (34:34) - - The world, the flesh, and the Devil (38:31) - - Clean pain and dirty pain (50:11) - - Moral injury (CONTENT WARNING) (01:00:36) - - Laments in Jeremiah (01:03:42) - - Lamentations (01:06:13) - - How Christianity deals with pain (01:11:09) - - Jesus laments

John Mark Comer's Practicing the Way has become a Christian bestseller since its publication last year.It's part of a new wave of books focusing on the ‘spiritual disciplines'.This week, our hosts delve into what these disciplines are and how we can approach them in a biblical manner.Author Alex Sosler then joins the show to discuss modern approaches to discipleship, before our hosts review the hit Netflix docudrama Apple Cider Vinegar.

Mary Magdalene has played many roles throughout history. She's been a prostitute, a temptation, Jesus' wife, Jesus' lover, a cave-dwelling mystic, a devoted follower, a revolutionary, and a penitent.The supposed sinner-turned-saint comes to us in a multiplicity of earthly, perhaps even scandalous, portraits that surprise and inspire.So what can we know about this woman for sure?CREDITSUndeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer-researcher.Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant.  Santino Dimarco is the Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Editing by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.Special thanks to our series sponsor Zondervan for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.(00:00) - - Intro (04:18) - - What's the appeal of Mary Magdalene? (06:32) - - Seven Marys (10:16) - - Was Mary Jesus' wife? (28:52) - - Seven demons (34:17) - - Jesus' female disciples (40:34) - - Mary at the cross and the tomb (50:25) - - Did Mary Magdalene travel to France? (58:07) - - The Apostle to the Apostles (01:02:32) - - Five Minute Jesus (01:06:26) - - Mary Magdalene for us today

Along with Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding has released a new single, 'First Hymn' which is a reworking of the world’s oldest Christian hymn discovered with lyrics and musical notation. The song launch comes ahead of the release of a documentary, ‘The First Hymn’, produced by Undeceptions, which tracks the discovery of the old hymn on papyrus in the sands of an ancient Egyptian city, and the process of giving it back to the world. Ben joined Clayton to chat more about this amazing project! Listen in to also hear 'The First Hymn' as Ben and Clayton speak. Ben Fielding is a GRAMMY award winning, multi-platinum, Australian songwriter and artist. A prolific song-writer, Ben has written many of the most sung and loved modern hymns across the Church globally. He is the only songwriter to have four songs reach #1 on CCLI as the most sung songs in the global Church: Goodness of God, What A Beautiful Name, Who You Say I Am and Mighty to Save. Ben also wrote the certified Gold This I Believe (The Creed) which, like The First Hymn, is the translation of an ancient text into a modern worship song.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With an Australian federal election called for May, our hosts think about how Christians should approach the ballot box and whether there is a "right" way for a believer to vote.We then hear multiple Australian Christian leaders answering the question, "What should Christians consider when casting their vote this year at the Australian federal election?"You can find the full text of all their answers on the WADR webpage - head to https://undeceptions.com/wadr/the-election/Finally, Michael and Megan take a look at the 2024 documentary God and Country, a film that zeros in on the emergence of Christian nationalism in America.

When John Dickson convinced top Christian songwriters Ben Fielding and Chris Tomlin to have a go at transforming an 1800-year-old hymn into a tune for our times, they felt the weight of responsibility.This is part two of our mini-series on how the song 'The First Hymn' came to life, with a full documentary soon to follow, which will track the hymn's journey from the deserts of Egypt to the middle of a sold-out stadium arena in the heart of America in the 21st century.This episode takes you behind the scenes: how Ben Fielding and Chris Tomlin resurrected The First Hymn and made it ours.(00:00) - - Intro (05:21) - - Ben Fielding joins The First Hymn Project (08:21) - - Creating something modern from something ancient (13:21) - - The songwriting process (16:15) - - Chris Tomlin joins The First Hymn Project (22:25) - - Collaboration (25:53) - - Tomlin and Fielding exchange musical ideas (31:17) - - John hears 'The First Hymn' for the first time (38:59) - - St Ephrem - one of the first hymn writers (43:25) - - The history of worship music (46:19) - Five-Minute Jesus (51:34) - - Who was the original composer of The First Hymn? (54:40) - - 'The First Hymn' for a secular world (58:17) - - Bringing the hymn to life in an arena Undeceptions is hosted by John Dickson, produced by Kaley Payne and directed by Mark Hadley. Alasdair Belling is a writer and researcher. Siobhan McGuiness is our online librarian. Lyndie Leviston remains John's wonderful assistant. Santino Dimarco is Chief Finance and Operations Consultant. Edited by Richard Hamwi.Our voice actors today were Yannick Lawry and Dakotah Love.A big thank you to Michael Wilder at Wheaton College, and Tony Payne for his arrangement of the original First Hymn, and the 50-person choir led by John Trotter that brought this work to life.Special thanks to our series sponsor, Zondervan, for making this Undeception possible. Undeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com - letting the truth out.

Welcome to season XIV of Undeceptions!Anthropology has a reputation for being the most “godless” of all the sciences. The so-called Father of Anthropology, Sir Edward Burnett Tylor, abandoned his faith as an anthropologist, declaring religion was “animalistic”. But religion hasn't gone away - and many anthropologists are now realising there might be something to belief after all …(00:00) - - Coffee and anthropology (09:08) - - What is anthropology? (14:25) - - Edward Tylor, the 'Father of Anthropology' (19:28) - - Why is anthropology so godless? (21:25) - - James Frazer (34:35) - - E.E. Evans Pritchard (41:52) - - Mary Douglas (49:03) - - How Christine became a Christian anthropologist (52:39) - - What is the "good life"? (54:31) - - Victor and Edith Turner (58:59) - - Cultural relativism (01:02:41) - - Five-Minute Jesus (01:09:34) - - Good God, good anthropology

Is a revival breaking out in the Western world? Or is the reappraisal of Christianity - leading intellectuals like Richard Dawkins and Jordan Peterson to proclaim themselves “cultural Christians” - just a passing fad? Evangelist Glen Scrivener joins the show to discuss, before our hosts turn their attention to the latest "Catholic political thriller", and one of the hit movies of the past year - Conclave. (00:00) - - Intro (01:20) - - For Arguments Sake (19:43) - - Be Our Guest (49:39) - - Through the Wardrobe

The cliche: ‘faith' is the antithesis of knowledge, of wisdom and therefore “Christian philosophy” is an oxymoron, right? For this Undeceptions rewind, we speak to two Christian philosophers who explain why that's not the case. Available now, wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, listen to the episode in full: Episode 57 'Jesus Philosopher'.

Last year, Australia introduced a law banning certain social media platforms for children under the age of 16 - the first of its kind in the world.This week, our hosts move the conversation offline and into real life, pondering the effects of social media and how the Bible can guide us in how to use it.Professor Andrew Campbell, Chair of the Cyberpsychology Research Group at the University of Sydney, then joins the show to discuss the proposed ban and the potential benefits of social media.Finally, Michael and Megan discuss appropriations of the 19th-century novel Vanity Fair and wonder how it might have anticipated some of the complexities of social media - two centuries ahead of time!(00:00) - - Intro (01:20) - - For Arguments Sake (17:36) - - Be Our Guest (49:10) - - Through the Wardrobe

Why are Christians such god-botherers? Is it possible to share your belief system with someone who doesn't accept it without being a jerk? In this Undeceptions rewind, we revisit a conversation about why Christians are so committed to sharing their faith with others - and why, if done right, it can be life changing. If you like what you hear, listen to the episode in full: Episode 33 'Danger: Proselytising'. 

Words can change lives – whether on paper, on screen, or spoken down a phone line.A library has an abundance of words – and an abundance of opportunities to change a life.After a long break, Laurel Moffatt returns with season 4 of Small Wonders!Undeceptions is pleased to introduce our listeners to this podcast in our network. Each episode of Small Wonders offers a brief but piercing look into a topic. The clarity the desert brings. Hurricanes and hard relationships. Finding reason in the middle of a ruin.These quiet but profound observations about life uncovers lessons learned. Lessons from broken and beautiful things that are polished to perfection and set in rich audio landscapes for your consideration.Subscribe to Small Wonders wherever you get your podcasts. 

Welcome back to another season of With All Due Respect, where your hosts, Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen, tackle tricky topics with respect and grace.To kick things off, celebrated author Marilynne Robinson joins the show to discuss her new book Reading Genesis, which looks at God's covenant with humanity - despite how dark things get.Our hosts then share their thoughts on the first book of the Bible and look at other recent attempts to understand it - notably Jordan Peterson's musings in his latest work, We Who Wrestle With God.

In the 3rd century, in the Ancient Egyptian city of Oxyrhynchus, a group of Christians composed a song of praise set to the pagan music of the time. Now, 1800 years later, John Dickson is working with two of the world's best songwriters to bring this lost song - this First Hymn - back to life. Along the way, they make some incredible discoveries about early church music, shedding light on what the earliest Christians believed. This is the first in a three-part podcast series on The First Hymn Project - taking its name from the forthcoming Undeceptions documentary, to be released at Easter 2025. (00:10) - - Singing the First Hymn (06:31) - - How the project began (09:10) - - Music in the ancient world (16:20) - - Christian music in the ancient world (20:22) - - Egyptian Christianity (24:02) - - The Oxyrhynchus discovery (29:24) - - The music of the First Hymn (37:58) - - The message of the First Hymn (46:08) - - Hymns throughout the New Testament (52:33) - - 5 Minute Jesus (58:33) - - The purpose of hymns (01:00:30) - - The First Hymn performed by the Wheaton Choir (01:02:04) - - Connecting Christians through history (01:03:22) - - Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding, and the First Hymn

The great project of the Enlightenment was to bring reason to the forefront. No more would humans be held back by superstitions: the power of the mind was all that was needed for advancement. Three centuries on though, and some people are beginning to think the pendulum has swung too far.Celebrated journalist and public intellectual Stan Grant joined John onstage in Sydney for a live recording of Undeceptions to discuss this new disenchanted age.(02:19) - - Introduction: Everything we wished for is here, and that's a problem (07:55) - - Stan Grant arrives (08:56) - - The Voice to Parliament (14:38) - - Stan on St Augustine (16:43) - - Stan's early life (19:48) - - Beginning a career in journalism (33:45) - - What makes you 'Australian'? (37:04) - - Deconstructing the Enlightenment (43:52) - - Truth-telling (45:35) - - Stan's theological journey (53:58) - - Reflections of suffering (01:00:16) - - 5 Minute Jesus (01:04:17) - - Hasn't Christianity done terrible damage to Indigenous cultures?  

This episode is brought to you by Anglican Aid. Your gift will strengthen churches and help transform communities. You can donate to With All Due Respect's featured causes here.In our season finale, our hosts answer questions from the audience and give their hot takes on some thorny issues.(01:36) - - Q&A Part 1 (22:47) - - Q&A Part 2 (39:32) - - Through The Wardrobe

This episode is brought to you by Anglican Aid. Your gift will strengthen churches and help transform communities. You can donate to With All Due Respect's featured causes here.In the aftermath of the 2024 Lausanne Congress - at which Megan was a delegate - our hosts take stock of what went on, review the Seoul Statement (and other alliterative faith declarations of past conferences), and mull over the insights of other attendees.They also discuss a documentary on the first Lausanne Congress, held way back in 1974.(01:50) - - Through The Wardrobe (15:55) - - What's Going On? (33:58) - - Be Our Guest

This episode is brought to you by Anglican Aid. Your gift will strengthen churches and help transform communities. You can donate to With All Due Respect's featured causes here.Is there a masculinity crisis? Or have we fundamentally misunderstood what being a man in the 21st century means?Our hosts spend some time discussing their understanding of masculinity, how they've seen it shift around them, and what a Christian vision of masculinity really looks like.Executive Director of the Centre for Public Christianity Simon Smart joins the show to discuss this tricky topic.  Finally, Michael and Megan turn their attention to the comedy-drama series Barry.  Help internally displaced people in Africa!Disasters and conflicts have led to a record number of over 75 million internally displaced people, or IDPs, around the world. IDPs are people who have been forced to flee their homes but have not crossed international borders.  Almost half of all IDPs - more than the population of Australia and New Zealand combined - are in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the displaced have left everything behind: their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. They urgently need food, shelter, clothing, and trauma counselling. So Anglican Aid has launched a Forced to Flee Emergency Appeal to provide essential aid to IDPs in Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond. This aid will be distributed by local churches, who are sacrificially providing for the needs of the displaced, and pointing them to the God who is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  To find out more about this appeal and make a tax-deductible gift, visit anglicanaid.org.au/wadr. 

This episode is brought to you by Anglican Aid. Your gift will strengthen churches and help transform communities. You can donate to With All Due Respect's featured causes here.Do we live in a culture that thrives on offence? Is it ever okay to intentionally offend? Michael and Megan are joined this week by Presbyterian Minister and writer Nathan Campbell to think through these questions. Our hosts also discuss the theology behind offence, and what offends them.Finally, the 2022 Psychological Thriller Tar - starring Cate Blanchett - comes under the WADR microscope. It's a film all about the destructive consequences of offending. But is it any good?(00:09) - - Be Our Guest (36:43) - - For Arguments Sake (55:43) - - Through The Wardrobe Help internally displaced people in Africa!Disasters and conflicts have led to a record number of over 75 million internally displaced people, or IDPs, around the world. IDPs are people who have been forced to flee their homes but have not crossed international borders.  Almost half of all IDPs - more than the population of Australia and New Zealand combined - are in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the displaced have left everything behind: their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. They urgently need food, shelter, clothing, and trauma counselling. So Anglican Aid has launched a Forced to Flee Emergency Appeal to provide essential aid to IDPs in Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond. This aid will be distributed by local churches, who are sacrificially providing for the needs of the displaced, and pointing them to the God who is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  To find out more about this appeal and make a tax-deductible gift, visit anglicanaid.org.au/wadr. 

This episode is brought to you by Anglican Aid. Your gift will strengthen churches and help transform communities. You can donate to With All Due Respect's featured causes here.This week, our hosts discuss the touchy topic of class. Does Christianity have an issue with class in Australia? What class do our hosts think they belong in?For 'Through the Wardrobe', Michael and Megan share their thoughts on the hit HBO drama The Gilded Age, a show dedicated to the world of the upstairs and downstairs world of 19th century America.(01:36) - - For Arguments Sake (20:03) - - The Secret Life of Us (34:31) - - Through the Wardrobe Help internally displaced people in Africa!Disasters and conflicts have led to a record number of over 75 million internally displaced people, or IDPs, around the world. IDPs are people who have been forced to flee their homes but have not crossed international borders.  Almost half of all IDPs - more than the population of Australia and New Zealand combined - are in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the displaced have left everything behind: their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. They urgently need food, shelter, clothing, and trauma counselling. So Anglican Aid has launched a Forced to Flee Emergency Appeal to provide essential aid to IDPs in Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond. This aid will be distributed by local churches, who are sacrificially providing for the needs of the displaced, and pointing them to the God who is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  To find out more about this appeal and make a tax-deductible gift, visit anglicanaid.org.au/wadr. 

This episode is brought to you by Anglican Aid. Your gift will strengthen churches and help transform communities. You can donate to With All Due Respect's featured causes here.This week, our hosts are grappling with the topic of sin. They discuss what sin is, and then ponder the relationship of desire to sin. In particular, is all sinful desire ... sinful? Michael and Megan don't entirely see eye to eye on this one!Writer and podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield, well-known as the host of The Sacred podcast, then joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion, including on her new book Fully Alive: Tending to the Soul in Turbulent Times.Finally, our hosts discuss the confronting - and beautiful - film Manchester By The Sea (2016).(01:32) - - For Arguments Sake (22:19) - - Be Our Guest (47:50) - - Through The Wardrobe Help internally displaced people in Africa!Disasters and conflicts have led to a record number of over 75 million internally displaced people, or IDPs, around the world. IDPs are people who have been forced to flee their homes but have not crossed international borders.  Almost half of all IDPs - more than the population of Australia and New Zealand combined - are in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the displaced have left everything behind: their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. They urgently need food, shelter, clothing, and trauma counselling. So Anglican Aid has launched a Forced to Flee Emergency Appeal to provide essential aid to IDPs in Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond. This aid will be distributed by local churches, who are sacrificially providing for the needs of the displaced, and pointing them to the God who is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  To find out more about this appeal and make a tax-deductible gift, visit anglicanaid.org.au/wadr. 

This week our hosts ponder the role of animals in creation. What is the standing of animals in comparison to humans in the created order? Is it ever ok to eat animals? Do they go to heaven? Ethicist and Professor of Animal Theology Clair Linzey then joins the show to ponder these questions further, before Michael and Megan turn their attention to the 2017 film The Zookeeper's Wife, which tells the true story of two brave zookeepers in Warsaw who resisted the invading Nazi forces. (01:44) - For Arguments Sake (22:59) - Be Our Guest (43:40) - Through The Wardrobe Interested in giving The Week At CPX a listen? You can subscribe to it here. And for more information, check out The Centre for Public Christianity website.If you'd like to help bring The First Hymn documentary into being, click here to find out all you need to know about contributing.

Humans are learning creatures. We spend our whole lives picking up new skills, improving them, and finding new areas of knowledge to explore. This week Michael and Megan think through the Biblical implications of this, and along the way are joined by Zeeshan LaalDin. Zeeshan is a Project Officer with Anglican Aid. He will be delivering a keynote address at the upcoming Common Knowledge Conference, which looks at the role of education in eradicating global poverty.Finally, our hosts watch the 2005 TV adaptation of Thomas Hughes' classic 1857 novel Tom Brown's School Days.(01:52) - For Arguments Sake (19:11) - Be Our Guest (42:22) - Through the Wardrobe   Interested in giving The Week At CPX a listen? You can subscribe to it here. And for more information, check out The Centre for Public Christianity website.If you'd like to help bring The First Hymn documentary into being, click here to find out all you need to know about contributing.

This week, our hosts hold up a mirror to themselves and discuss the role of the pastor. They ponder a range of questions, including the Biblical job description of a pastor and whether the modern church is equipping its pastors well enough for the job. Principal of Morling College Tim MacBride then joins the show to discuss the challenges facing the pastoral profession.Finally, Michael and Megan riff on the 2001 film Wit (starring Emma Thompson), a cinematic adaptation of the play of the same name, which chiefly focuses on ... death. Interested in giving The Week At CPX a listen? You can subscribe to it here. And for more information, check out The Centre for Public Christianity website.If you'd like to help bring The First Hymn documentary into being, click here to find out all you need to know about contributing.

There's a reason our guests have mentioned Augustine more than any other theologian or philosopher. St Augustine of Hippo was an intellectual giant whose shadow still hangs over Christianity and the Western philosophical tradition. But not everyone loves him. To some, he's a misogynistic pessimist whose work we're better off without. So - what's the truth? It's finally time for Undeceptions to take a deep dive into Augustine.

Neurodiversity is a topic that has seen an upswing of awareness in recent years.With more visibility than ever before, our hosts discuss whether neurodivergence is a good, or "fallen" condition.Writer and scholar Kate Morris then joins the show to discuss her own experiences raising a neurodivergent child, as well as her substack aimed at helping Christians love their neurodivergent friends and family.Finally, Micahel and Megan cast an eye over the hit ABC show Austin, featuring Love on the Spectrum star Michael Teo.  Interested in giving The Week At CPX a listen? You can subscribe to it here. And for more information, check out The Centre for Public Christianity website.If you'd like to help bring The First Hymn documentary into being, click here to find out all you need to know about contributing.

Theology. It's a term often associated with old professors and dusty books. But theology is actually crucial for the church. So, why don't more Christians take an interest in it? Why has it become so .... stale? These are the questions our hosts (and resident theologians) grapple with. Speaking of childlike - Michael and Megan are joined this week by author Kaitlyn Scheiss, host of the Curiously Kaitlyn podcast where she fields questions about theology from children!Finally, our hosts cast an eye over the coming-of-age film adaptation of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

This week, Meghan and Michael look at the epidemic of gendered violence sweeping through both the church and society at large. Our hosts look at what the Bible has to say on the issue and are then joined by expert consultant Carolyn Cousins for a discussion about what the church can do to help stamp it out.They then turn their attention to the program Asking For It, a look at the impacts of gendered violence, hosted by journalist and author Jess Hill who wrote the seminal See What You Made Me Do. Interested in giving The Week At CPX a listen? You can subscribe to it here. And for more information, check out The Centre for Public Christianity website.If you'd like to pick up a copy of Michael's book Subjects and Citizens, find everything you want to know here.

This episode is brought to you by Anglican Aid. You can donate to its Because He First Loved Us Appeal and show Jesus' love to children in need this end of financial year.Grief is a universal experience. We all face it at some point in our lives. So, what's a Christian framework for walking through grief? How can we grieve well? Dr Kit Barker joins our hosts to tackle these questions.Our hosts then turn their attention to the Apple TV comedy-drama Shrinking - a program that explores the variety of experiences people have when it comes to grief.

According to John Dickson, “Christianity is unlike other religions in that it gambles its plausibility on supposed historical events. Christians,” he writes, “don't merely say otherworldly things like ‘Heaven is open to all,' but they also say things like, ‘Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate,' and statements of this kind aren't immune from historical scrutiny.” So, what are the considerations involved in assessing the historical value of the Gospels? How can we be sure these ancient texts really are what they claim to be? On this episode, Shane talks with Undeceptions host, John Dickson, who received a PhD in the field of ancient history, and who is the author of Is Jesus History?• The clip in which John Dickson revealed his shift on the date of the Fourth Gospel was taken from Episode 126 of The Undeceptions podcast.• The quote from Princeton scholar, James Charlesworth's was taken from his book Jesus As Mirrored in John, and you can find additional quotes by Charlesworth and others here.• To read Shane's recent article mentioned at the end of this episode featuring an archaeoligical discovery related to Joanna & Theophilus, click here. SHOW NOTESRecommended BooksIs Jesus History? John DicksonA Doubters Guide to Jesus, John DicksonA Doubters Guide to the Bible, John DicksonCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsRedating the New Testament, John A.T. RobinsonRethinking the Dates of the New Testament, Jonathan BernierJesus & The Eyewitnesses, Richard BauckhamJesus As Mirrored in John, James CharlesworthRecommended ArticlesJoanna: Obscure Disciple, or Luke's Key Witness? Shane RosenthalJohn 5:2 “There is in Jerusalem…”, Shane Rosenthal & othersThe Authenticity & Genuineness of the Fourth Gospel, J.B. LightfootIs Luke a Trustworthy Historian, Sir William RamsayAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalOutside The Gospels, What Can We Know About Jesus? Shane RosenthalWater Into Wine? Shane RosenthalOn Faith & History, Shane RosenthalScribes of the New Covenant, Shane RosenthalThe Identity of the Beloved Disciple, Shane RosenthalCan We Trust Luke's History of the Early Jesus Movement? Shane RosenthalSimon of Cyrene: An Intriguing Archaeological Discovery, Shane RosenthalThe Mormonization of American Christianity, Shane RosenthalOther Related ResourcesThe Gospels As Eyewitness Testimony, Humble Skeptic #48The Jesus of History, Humble Skeptic #12The Gospel Creed, Humble Skeptic # 9New Evidence for the Gospels, Peter J. Williams (video)Are the Gospels Reliable? Peter J. Williams & Bart Ehrman (video)Upcoming Events• Shane will be speaking at the ReThink315 College Camp which will take place on the campus of St. Louis University, July 16-19, 2024.• On Wednesday, Sept. 18th, Shane will discuss the question, “Is Faith Blind & Irrational?” at an event in Cedar City, Utah (more details coming soon).• On Friday, Oct. 18th, Shane will be the keynote speaker at the ReThink315fundraising dinner, which will take place at the Missouri Athletic Club in Des Peres, Missouri. For more information, or to purchase tickets for this event, click here.• For more information, or to invite Shane Rosenthal to speak at your next event, send an email to: INFO at HUMBLESKEPTIC dot COM. Write a Positive ReviewIf you're a fan of the show, consider writing a brief review to let others know what you like about it (preferably via the Apple Podcast app since their reviews can be seen in other podcast portals). The more positive reviews we get, the more exposure we get!We Need Your Help!Consider supporting The Humble Skeptic podcast by making a one-time gift or upgrading to a paid subscription via Substack ($5.95 per month, $59 per year). Click here for more information about giving options. Get full access to The Humble Skeptic at www.humbleskeptic.com/subscribe

This episode is brought to you by Anglican Aid. You can donate to its Because He First Loved Us Appeal and show Jesus' love to children in need this end of financial year.Welcome to another season of With All Due Respect!Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen embark on another series of podcasts tackling some potentially divisive elements of culture with nuance, grace, and - of course- respect!This week, our hosts look at the phenomena of fandom and ask - is it possible for fandom to go far? Can a Christian engage in fandom in good faith?Both our hosts share what they're fans of (this episode is a judgment-free zone!) before casting their eye over Tabitha Carvan's book This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch, a work which explores how an ordinary person can become obsessed by a certain middle-aged British actor. 

Welcome to the final episode of Season 8 of With All Due Respect!This week, Minister Jeri Jones Sparks and former Sydney Archbishop (and Michael's Dad!) Peter Jensen joins the show for a panel discussion on different church generations. The team look at the highs and lows of recent Australian church history, as well as what different generations of Christians today can learn from one other.Our hosts then discuss the TV series Pachinko, a critically acclaimed show that follows the stories of four generations of a Korean Family, between 1915 and 1989.

This week, Michael and Megan are joined by Stephen Judd, the former CEO of HammondCare, to discuss how - if at all - an organisation can be "Christian".Our hosts then discuss whether the broader church is an organisation, and if ministers can gain anything from the world of corporate wisdom.Finally, they turn their attention to the hit drama Propser, a new show that follows a family as they build a super-powerful, super-wealthy megachurch.

This week, Megan and Michael hash out one of the most controversial issues currently ruling the discourse; the conflict in the Israel and Gaza region.Our hosts think through how the Bible can guide Christians' response to the conflict.A Palestinian Christian and peacemaker joins the show to discuss the challenges facing faith groups in the conflict zone.Finally, our hosts discuss the film Women in Sink, which documents conversations with women of different faiths in the region.

Mark Twain once famously said, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics".Our hosts this week are chatting about this third lie - statistics. With the age of social media now dictating how people access statistical data, are we literate enough to understand what we are reading when it comes to statistics? How does this affect trust in official information more broadly? And in a fallen world, where sin distorts everything, how much can we truly trust human knowledge?Statistician Alan Brnabic joins Michael and Megan to discuss these questions, and why we need statistics more broadly. Finally, our hosts cast their eye over Moneyball, a sports film that, against the odds, Megan quite enjoyed.

Michael and Megan are kicking off 2024 by checking in on the state of Evangelicalism.Karen Swallow Prior returns to the show to discuss her new book The Evangelical Imagination, which provocatively claims to take stock of a "culture in crisis".Our hosts then hash out the question: does Evangelicalism need another Reformation?Finally, the pair discuss the 17th-century classic The Pilgrim's Progress and take stock of its influence and legacy.

It's the 2023 Christmas episode of With All Due Respect, and we're talking all things Mary this year!New Testament scholar The Rev. Dr Sarah Harris joins the show to discuss the mother of Jesus, and makes some big calls about her place in theological history.Michael and Megan then discuss the place of Mary in Protestant tradition. Should the evangelical Christian church reclaim Mary? Is she in need of a "rediscovery?"Finally, our hosts turn their attention to the hit TV show The Chosen and discuss its portrayals of the Holy Matriarch.

It's the 100th episode of With All Due Respect!To mark their century our guests chat with Mike Bird, Academic Dean of Melbourne's Ridley College, discussing the question "Is the Bible clear in what it tells us?"They also discuss the differences in church tradition when it comes to interpreting scripture.Later, our hosts discuss Sarah Polley's confronting film Women Talking, which explores the consequences of misunderstanding - and abusing - The Bible.  

The Middle Ages saw an explosion of literature, art, and thought around the personhood of Jesus. What can we learn from these centuries-old understandings of the central figure of the Bible?This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptionsVisit undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and InstagramEmail the show with your comments/feedback: admin@undeceptions.comUndeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John DicksonProduced by Kaley Payne Directed by Mark Hadley Audio Editing by Richard HamwiSocial Media by Sophie HawkshawAdministration by Lyndie LevistonWriter and researcher: Alasdair BellingOnline Librarian: Siobhan McGuinnessCopyright Undeceptions Ltd 2023

Home - it's an evocative word and one that has instant access to our emotions, whether that's when Dorothy knocks together her shiny red heels and says there's no place like home or when angelic children's choirs sing I still call Australia home on a Qantas ad. The Bible culminates with an image of God at home with humanity. Home speaks to us of familiarity, safety, welcome, love. Yet home doesn't just have positive associations. Some are home less while many have found their homes to be anything but safe. This episode Megan Powell du Toit and Michael Jensen begin by discussing whether human beings are actually any good at making home for themselves or others. Then the WADR team speak to former NSW Liberal Minister and newly appointed chair of the Faith Housing Alliance, Rob Stokes about the current housing crisis. And to finish, continuing 'the whole vibe' of the episode, they hang out with the Kerrigans in The Castle.

The Puritans: Everything wrong with a Christian society, or much misunderstood forefathers of innovation and social justice?This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptionsVisit undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and InstagramEmail the show with your comments/feedback: admin@undeceptions.comUndeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John DicksonProduced by Kaley Payne Directed by Mark Hadley Audio Editing by Richard HamwiSocial Media by Sophie HawkshawAdministration by Lyndie LevistonWriter and researcher: Alasdair BellingOnline Librarian: Siobhan McGuinnessCopyright Undeceptions Ltd 2023

Is the Bible bad news for women? Is Jesus misogynistic?Or - as some claim - were the teachings of Jesus in fact the basis of a revolutionary change in the way women were seen and treated across the ancient world, as Christianity spread?Live from the Sydney leg of the Undeceptions conference comes this special episode, with John Dickson, Rebecca McLaughlin, and an audience of 600 Undeceivers taking a look at Jesus, through the eyes of the women who walked alongside Him.

To kick off season 10 of Undeceptions, we're exploring the new "threat" to the Christian faith -  deconstruction.Deconstruction has become something of a buzzword in recent years, with many well-known Christians deconstructing their beliefs, and sometimes abandoning Christianity altogether. So what's going on? Can the claims of the Bible be trusted if they seemingly fall apart when we ask questions?Head to undeceptions.com for information on how to become an Undeceiver, get expanded show notes, and find out more about our wonderful guests!

Throughout history, humans have looked for hidden meanings behind dreams. But in this modern, scientific age, surely we don't believe dreams could hold spiritual significance anymore? God wouldn't speak to people through a medium as unreliable as dreams ... right?This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptionsVisit undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and InstagramEmail the show with your comments/feedback: admin@undeceptions.comUndeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John DicksonProduced by Kaley Payne Directed by Mark Hadley Audio Editing by Richard HamwiSocial Media by Sophie HawkshawAdministration by Lyndie LevistonWriter and researcher: Alasdair BellingOnline Librarian: Siobhan McGuinnessCopyright Undeceptions Ltd 2023

Is there a place for pessimism in the Christian life? Is Halloween evil? Does God have 'mothering' characteristics, too? Why won't there be marriage in heaven? Yes, it's this season's Q&A episode, and John is having a crack at a heap of listener questions.This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptionsVisit undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and InstagramEmail the show with your comments/feedback: admin@undeceptions.comUndeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John DicksonProduced by Kaley Payne Directed by Mark Hadley Audio Editing by Richard HamwiSocial Media by Sophie HawkshawAdministration by Lyndie LevistonWriter and researcher: Alasdair BellingOnline Librarian: Siobhan McGuinnessCopyright Undeceptions Ltd 2023

If we can make sense of our faith, is it really faith at all, or just a projection of what we want? Soren Kierkegaard, one of the most celebrated philosophers of the 19th century, asked the same question. With the help of two experts, we'll untangle his "answers" and discover how to take a leap of faith.This season of Undeceptions is sponsored by Zondervan Academic. Get discounts on MasterLectures video courses and exclusive samples of their books at zondervanacademic.com/undeceptionsVisit undeceptions.com for more content, including the full show notes for this episode.Follow the show on Facebook, Twitter and InstagramEmail the show with your comments/feedback: admin@undeceptions.comUndeceptions is the flagship podcast of Undeceptions.com: Letting the truth out.Theme music: JS Bach's Cello Suites, Prelude, performed by the Undeceptions Band. Hosted by John DicksonProduced by Kaley Payne Directed by Mark Hadley Audio Editing by Richard HamwiSocial Media by Sophie HawkshawAdministration by Lyndie LevistonWriter and researcher: Alasdair BellingOnline Librarian: Siobhan McGuinnessCopyright Undeceptions Ltd 2023